Body Modifications in Ancient Mesoamerica
There are many types of body modifications that have been utilized all throughout the
Mesoamerican cultures during the classic and pre-classic time period. Some of them that I am
going to talk about will include the Maya, Olmec, Aztecs cultures and how they utilized various
body modifications such as piercings, tattoos, cranial reshaping within their culture. Each of
these had their own specific function within their own societies, and I will be discussing those
throughout this paper.
I will first begin talking about piercings in some of the Mesoamerican cultures. Now of
course piercings have been around well before many of these cultures were even established. To
being with, in Mesoamerica we had the Olmec, and the men in this society put plugs into their
cheeks, and as they got older would expand (gauge) them. Now with the Aztecs, there men
would have lip, ear, nose piercing and plugs. However, the Aztecs did have some rules that were
affiliated with them getting their piercings. To begin with the nobles were the only ones that
could have them made from precious stones and gold, whereas the lower classes used bone
(AncientPages). This was a social class thing, as well as the lower classes really could not afford
using the precious stone. With the Maya’s, there pricings were done in a community gathering.
Many of them would gather to the center of the main plaza and utilizing a stingray spine, cactus
spines, and even an obsidian knife would he used to pierce their tongue, ears, and many others.
During this the blood that was spilt was meant to be a tribute to the gods, for the hopes of a
fruitful harvest. They let the blood run down upon parchment or over cocoa beans. When it was
dripped onto the parchment, it was then burned as an offering to the gobs, however when it was
dripped onto the coca beans it was mixed into a drink, and then offered to the gods
(AncientPages).
Next, we will talk about Tattoos. Tattoos at this time were done by making small cuts
into the skin, then rubbing the open wound with pigment. This was popular among the Aztecs
and the maya’s. For the Aztecs most of their tattoos consisted of animals, such as eagles, jaguars,
and moneys. These were known as totem animals, and these were chosen because that individual
would feel an affinity for the animal and was inspired by its way of life. Now for the Maya’s,
there whole purpose of tattoos was to honor please the gods. They felt that making these
elaborate tattoos on there body was a type of sacrifice. There tattoos consisted of images of the
gods that they worshiped, as well as powerful animals. Along with honoring the gods, for them
this was a showing of there strength and bravery. They were not allowed to show pain while it
was being done. Tattoos were done on both men and women, but men usually waited until they
had wed before getting one. The women got their tattoos on their upper bodies, and the men on
